Blanc Productions				 Telephone: 0064-3-962 7000
P O Box 33-136				         Fax:       0064-3-962 9777
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND 	                 Email:     bobberesford.com


THE   GAME  OF  UNION


Music by Gustav Holst (from the Planets)		10 October 1999
Lyrics by Bob Beresford (copyright)


Update, 10 October 2003.  
When the IRB took Gustav Holst’s brilliant music (from ‘Jupiter’, also became a
hymn) and put rugby words to it for a theme song, they made a big mistake
 – they didn’t ask me to help them.  So I wrote this version that truly captures 
the spirit of Rugby and circulated it at the last World Cup, suggesting people 
sing it, record it, do a video to it.  Apparently no-one did.  But now I’ve decided 
to record it myself, so now, for real inspiration, you can download the song for 
free, in MD3 off our website – and the lyrics, too.


Verse 1			There’s a pain that I’m feeling
			When I’m hurled to the ground
			And a pack of rampant rugby forwards
			Are trampling all around

Verse 2			Then I raise my eyes to heaven
			And I pray for my release
			That the ref will blow his whistle
			And soon restore the peace

Chorus 1		Of the game of Union	
			It’s the game I love
			If I live to see tomorrow
			A new day has begun

Verse 3			We shall scrum for team and country	
			And we’ll ruck for every ball
			And if I get my hands on it
			I’m going to show them all

Verse 4			For I’ll run the length of every field
			And no tackle will I fear
			Till I dive in graceful majesty
			And all the crowd will cheer

Chorus 2		As we try to score in union
			And we play as one
			If we come back from the dressing room
			A new half has begun

Interlude 1		Hear the cries and hear the calling
			Of the men who roam the land
			As they ruck, maul and scrummage till they can hardly stand

Verse 5			For we’ll play in straps and bandages
			And we’ll say it’s all good fun
			And we’ll never go to hospital
			Because it’s just not done

Verse 6			As we rise to meet our challenges
			And we see the mess we’re in
			We will always keep on tackling
			Because we don’t give in

Chorus 3		It’s the dream – the dream of Union
			And the games we’ve won
			If we take the field on Saturday
			A new match has begun

Interlude 2		We shall play them on the beaches
			In the snow or driving rain
			If we win, lose or draw we’ll say that it’s all the same

Chorus 4		But it’s nicer to be winning
			And to say we’ve won
			And then when we start to celebrate
			A party has begun

Extra Chorus		Oh yes when they drink and celebrate
			A party has begun

Verse 7			So we’ll strive to sing in union
			And we’ll say just how we feel
			And the mud and sweat and glory
			Will all become quite real

Interlude 3		Every race and creed or colour
			Will be welcome to take part
			As we play with one mind and plan	
			And even one heart

Chorus 5		As we run in one direction
			And we pass to every soul		
			And we cross the common try line
			The world will reach its goal!